Wrexham 0-0 Bristol City WREXHAM endured a frustrating afternoon at the Racecourse on Saturday after dominating a goalless encounter with promotion-fancied Bristol City.

Wrexham 0-0 Bristol City WREXHAM endured a frustrating afternoon at the Racecourse on Saturday after dominating a goalless encounter with promotion-fancied Bristol City.

Neither goal-keeper was severely tested, but what chances there were fell almost in- variably to the home side.

Dragons' boss Denis Smith remained philosophical afterwards, pointing out that his team always looked the more likely to score and were rarely threatened by a City side regarded as one of the best in Division Two.

He said, "Would people at the beginning of the season have expected us to go into matches against Bristol City and be disappointed with a draw?

"The answer to that is no. We do deserve some credit for the way we played, especially in the first half.

"And we've kept a clean- sheet, which is pleasing because we haven't had too ma- ny of those of late.

"That's one of the best teams in the league and we're disappointed that we have not won, which I think is a big positive."

The Robins came into the game off the back of a 4-0 hammering in the LDV Vans' trophy by Plymouth Argyle last Tuesday.

But in the league they have now collected at least a point from five of their seven away games and Robins' manager Danny Wilson was pleased they rediscovered their defensive stubbornness.

"It wasn't the best of games, but at the same time we have come here and we have got a good result," said the City boss.

"Particularly after Tuesday it was important that we batten down the hatches.

"It may not have looked pretty from upstairs, but when you're at ground level that was a tough game.

"If we can keep on getting draws away from home for the rest of the season and win our home games at the end of the season we'll have a prize - that's for sure," he said.

The opening exchanges were evenly contested with an effort from City striker Lee Miller drifting wide of Andy Dibble's right-hand post and Wrexham striker Hector Sam just failing to connect with a Carlos Edwards cross.

On 20-minutes Sam watched a dipping shot from 18 yards sail over City keeper St- eve Phillips' bar after being put through by Chris Llew- ellyn.

Wrexham captain Darren Ferguson orchestrated almost all of the Dragons' best moves in the first half and just before the break he sent a rasping left-footed drive from 25 yards just wide of Phillips' right-hand post.

Just after the break Sam tricked his way past his marker before laying off an inviting ball for Carlos Edwards, who watched his right- footed effort parried by Phillips before being cleared by the City defence.

Later a Carlos Edwards shot almost fell to Dennis Lawrence in the six-yard box, but the Dragons defender failed to get his shot away and the ball drifted harmlessly into the arms of a grateful Phillips.

After the hour mark Ferguson found Lee Jones 12 yards out on the left side of the box.

But Wrexham's diminutive striker struck his shot well wide of Phillips' left-hand post.

The visitors' best chance of the second half came after 75 minutes when defender Tony Butler's glancing header crashed against the bar following a corner by midfielder Brian Tinnion.